An Outline of Fuzzy or Possibilistic Models for Queuing Systems

Abstract

This short note is an exploratory paper where the difference of nature between probabilistic knowledge and possibilistic knowledge is emphasized in the framework of queuing problems. While the arrival have usually to be modelled by a stochastic process (provided that its correct identification is possible), a queuing system may also exhibit another kind of uncertainty regarding the service time or the service rule which are not always precisely known or defined. Fuzziness, rather than randomness corresponds to the deep nature of this uncertainty. Thus, it is dealt with fuzzy service time and fuzzy service rule in a queuing problem. Hints for solutions are given in various situations. Moreover, an entirely possibilistic model is discussed.